Contraindication: Sida cordifolia when used excessively can cause ephedrine related side effects like insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, increase in blood pressure, memory loss or even stroke. Ephedrine coupled with caffeine can prove fatal. Patients subjected to IOC drug testing, using MAO inhibitor medication (anti-depressants), having high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid or prostate condition along with pregnant or lactating women should not take this herb except under expert guidance.

Description

The plant contains the alkaloid ephedrine (0.8% to 1.2%) and pseudo-ephedrine along with other compounds as active ingredients that stimulate the cardio-vascular system and central nervous system (CNS). The seeds are considered to be analgesic, antiasthmatic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cooling, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, nervine, nutritive, rejuvenative, spermatogenetic, stimulant, sweet and tonic. It has been used in India for over 2,000 years now to treat a variety of health disorders like bronchial asthma, common cold, flu, chills, headache, nasal congestion, aching joints and bones, cough, wheezing and oedema. One of its uses is in weight loss too as the ephedrine alkaloids control metabolism in human body.